Boynton Hopefuls Focus On Growth

BOYNTON BEACH — Boynton Beach's continued growth and political power and how it is used in the future are key issues in the City Commission election March 13.

There are four candidates vying for two spots on the commission.

In District I, Vice Mayor Ronald Weiland, 41, is defending his seat against Bob Ensler, a member of the city's Planning and Development Board. In District III, newly appointed Commissioner Mike Ferguson wants to continue on with the commission while former Commissioner Shirley Jaskiewicz wants back on the panel.

District I covers an area from the city boundaries on the east, west and south to roughly Woolbright Road to the north. District III covers an area from the city boundaries east to west, to roughly Woolbright Road to the south and Boynton Beach Boulevard to the north.

"As an individual and as a commissioner, I feel we have done a good job of representing the city. I would like to see come to fruition some of the things we have done and plan to do in the future," Weiland said.

During his two-year tenure, Weiland initiated two major amendments to the city's charter: the establishment of single-member districts and the extension of commissioner's terms from two two-year terms to two three-year terms. He also backed an enhanced landscape requirement for new construction, pushed to add fluoride to the city's drinking water and pressed for new drainage requirements in new developments to protect older homes.

Weiland, a small business owner, said he wants to continue work on the citywide drainage upgrade, downtown revitalization and an expanded Senior Center, build Intracoastal Park, establish a greenway network and increase the number of police officers and firefighters. He also wants to review the building and zoning codes.

Ensler, Weiland's opponent who successfully lobbied for a stricter noise ordinance for nightclubs, said he would bring vision, leadership and focus to the commission.

"It's easy to become a commissioner, but it's not easy to know what the commission should be doing. We need people on the commission who know," said Ensler. He supports redevelopment as well, but he wants to fine-tune the city's plans.

What Boynton Beach needs for redevelopment, he said, is a master plan that incorporates a policy for bringing new business to the city; imaginative ways to expand city limits; improved police, fire and rescue services; parks and green spaces; a prudent economic plan; and residents' needs.

Without it, "the obvious end result will be a patchwork implementation without consideration of human resources and requirements," Ensler said.

The race between Ferguson and Jaskiewicz is much the same.

Aside from bringing "a fresh viewpoint," incumbent Ferguson said he has assets the city can use.

"I think I can make Boynton Beach better," said Ferguson, a retired business owner. "I got 40 years of business experience. I got a bunch of college degrees, and I got the time to serve."

If re-elected, he said, he'll focus on zoning changes that could raise the city's tax revenues by $1 billion within five years, reducing property taxes by 30 percent, upgrading city amenities such as drainage, parking and green spaces, and adding fire stations. He also said the city should build clout with state and county officials by forming an alliance with neighboring cities.

Jaskiewicz said she wants to steer the city back in the right direction. "They are doing things that are not in the best interest of the city," she said.

She points to past commission bickering and the sale of expensive oceanside land to Ocean Ridge as examples of how she said the city could do better.

Jaskiewicz, who left the commission in 1999 because of term limits, said she will push to increase tax revenues, emphasize economic development and work on Vision 2020, a city design plan.

Her edge, she says, is experience "not only as a member of the commission for four years, but my longtime involvement in city issues are also an advantage."

Merle Augustin can be reached at maugustin@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6522.